''This is a terrible tragedy for the family involved, for Southland and farming communities and if anything can come out of it, it will be a reminder that four-wheelers are dangerous and potentially can kill,'' Mr MacPherson said.

Emergency services were called to an Underwood residence on the Lorneville-Wallacetown highway about 6pm yesterday.

Charlie was rushed to hospital, but the ambulance carrying him had to stop en route to Invercargill to continue working on him before continuing on to Southland Hospital.

A WorkSafe New Zealand spokesman said the agency had been notified and had begun preliminary inquiries and that would determine if it became involved.

The agency would only become a part of the investigation if it was a work-related incident.

The Wallacetown volunteer brigade was one of the first emergency service to attend the scene to assist with first aid, followed by the Kingswell fire brigade.

Kingswell station officer Colin Russell said his brigade responded to a "rescue call" to assist ambulance but several of his firefighters were required to drive St John vehicles, including the ambulance the child was travelling in, back to town so the staff could work on the child en route to hospital.

Mr Russell said the incident happened "quite a wee way into a farm" and was handed over to police for investigation.

Fire Service shift commander Andrew Norris said it was uncommon for firefighters to drive ambulances but, in situations where the patient was in a serious condition, it was another way of the crews helping.

Firefighters having to drive ambulances would happen only about once a month, he said.

Mr Lloyd said the number of quad bike incidents happening throughout New Zealand was an "area for concern".

Wallacetown chief fire officer Bill McLachlan said while farm incidents were a rare event for the crew to attend, it highlighted the need for volunteers in their local community.

"We try to look after our community, things go wrong but we can't do anything about that but that's why we are here. It's situations like these that show the need for volunteer spirit."